Has anyone had their cables replaced since the safety recall? I called the dealer and he said they would not replace them unless they were broken. I explained that I load my atv regularly which is about 600 lbs. plus my big rear end. So I asked if I was supposed to wait until they broke and did some damage to the tailgate and he said yes, they will not replace them unless they break. anyone else run up against this? Thanks http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif Edited by: Raptorrider

So break them. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif Hook one end to a tree and the other to your truck and pull. Shouldn't take much. What have you got to loose? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

Try to have them put it in writing that they won't replace it till it breaks. Could also try a different stealer.

Max,


That was funny.

Seriously,


How much does it take to break these things? every time I stand on my tailgete I am prepared to go flying and land on my arce. Not a very pleasant thought.


Can these things handle a couple of people and a cooler?


Do they only break from 4-wheelers?

They should easily handle a couple people and a cooler as long as they are in good shape. Once they start to deteriorate, it's anybody's guess.


I would be willing to bet that in perfect form they are capable of holding several thousand pounds each.

If it's rusty it doesn't take much weight to break probably 300 to 400 Lbs.


Canadians should have received a letter from the GENERAL that there is a recall on the tail gate support cables, but the letter states they will not be replaced until the GENERAL sends out the second letter, telling you to go to the dealer for your replacement cables.


You can get replacements if the cables are in danger of breaking.


The plastic coating will have a bulge in it if it's defective.


good luck

yeah, my letter makes the bright @ss statement that we should remove our tailgates to load and unload until the new and improved cables are available! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


andyEdited by: textech

Watch the crimped ends, you can see the rust starting. believe me this is a good sighn.


Genohttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

Can these things handle a couple of people and a cooler?


That`s a big NO! Mine broke with less then 240# and the truck was one year old to the week and had 38,300 miles. And I did not use the tailgate very often, Maybe once every 8 days. Even then it was just me (195# at the time) or one of my 2 kids (80 and 35 pounds.


At the time that they both broke, my nephew and I was loading bundles of 30 year dementional shingles on the truck. Half on the gate, the other half on the bed. They let go when I layed the 6th bundle on the truck. And no we were not throwing them on.


Opon inspection I noticed that they were both 100% rusted through and all that was holding them together was the laminat

My wife is a physician and I can't say much but I can tell you there is more than one lawsuit going against the general for personal injuries from theese things breaking when the owner was standing on or loading the tail gate. I got a letter from GM about 3 months ago telling me to not use the tail gate, be carefull etc but also saying they would not replace the cables until the new ones came in. I guess I just don't use the tailgate for a year or so until GM oulls their head out. What should I expect for 45k ? A tailgate ????? THAT WORKS !

Mine snapped right in half in the middle with out any use....opened the tailgate grabbed it with my hand and it fell apart....2002 model


Be carefull mine have not been replaced yet....

I've not seen a letter yet, but from what I've read about it there are supposed to be two letters as others have mentioned.


The first one saying not to use the tailgate and that a second letter would come when the replacement cables were available. It's also my understanding that only the trucks with galvanized cables will be offered a no questions asked replacement. Those with stainless cables will have to show they are deteriorated.


IIRC, GM switched to stainless sometime during the '03 production run?


Simple fix is the VR straps...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

My cables have a black plastic coating on them, so I can't tell if they are stainless or not. I did receive the 1st letter from GM. In the letter they said my cables will be replaced without charge and there was a caution statement against putting any kind heavy load on the tail gate until the cables are replaced. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif My truck's build date was 10/23/03.Edited by: Dura_Mike

The letter I got warned about using them and said we would be contacted when replacements are available. That was several months ago. My truck is a '04.

Did have one break on my '02. Got replacement cables yesterday. Stealed didn't even look at 'em, just called the parts dept. and had 'em pulled for me (couldn't wait 2 hours for them to get to it.) L8R

If you were part of the safety recall, they HAVE to replace them.


If not, you might have to buy them. But, getting something in writing is a good idea as mentioned earlier. My "Stealer" said they would replace them as soon as they got stock in. But they are on backorder, just like the injectors I am waiting for .


Apparantly, the injectors for my 2003 Duramax, are on national backorder, with no estimated arrival time. Meanwhile I am truckless, and using a 'loaner' . Can't tow, can't go anywhere I need the truck, and well, guess I havta' wait!!!


Again, if you got a letter for the recall, they HAVE to replace them when in stock. That's my take on it...


Good luck..

ronadycks is correct - they are part of a re-call (safety or not) & are required to be replaced by the stainless steel version when they become available. So far in the Northeast, i've been told they won't be available until the fall, however, the dealer did replace my rotted ones (i am right at the beach) with the standard ones & told me they will call me as soon as the correct ones are available for installation.


In the mean time, i was never really comfortable loading a couple of Harleys in the truck with those cheesy straps anyway, so I took some chain the same length, heated & bent an 's' hook for the mount on the tail-gate side, used a bolt with a locknut (for standout purposes) on the bed side, a length of cut bicycle tube to slip over the chain (for protection & anti-rattle), & now i'm not worried about loading anything, or anyone walking off with my tail-gate (without wrenches that is). Worked really well.....

Some shortbox Dmax owners have oversized slide in campers that require the tailgate to be down. So I'd think the general would have to replace the straps.

replacing the cables before the stanless ones will just leave you with more rust prone cables to break again.

ONe thought that comes to mind, is that most cranes and winches have non-stainless cabling (I think). Maybe a good idea would be to keep them water-displaced, using wd40 or some other spray for that purpose.


The cables themselves will hold the weight, and Chevy's concern I think is mainly the folks who spend time close to water, or leave the gates down a lot, and in areas of heavy rain might be at risk. In California, after almost 2 years my cables look perfect.


I will replace as soon as I am notified, but I am going to use a spray until they (the replacementsa) come in.

The cables themselves will hold the weight, and Chevy's concern I think is mainly the folks who spend time close to water, or leave the gates down a lot, and in areas of heavy rain might be at risk. In California, after almost 2 years my cables look perfect.


More complicated than that, I'm afraid. It's a design flaw and leads to unexpected and sudden failure that can be very hazardous. The braided cable is shielded with a poly jacket. When the gate is closed, the cables "loop" and moisture is trapped and maintained in that bend within the poly jacket. The cables corrode without any real warning or indication of the condition. When one goes, the other usually goes along with it due to the "dominoe effect." Just spraying some WD-40 in them may make you feel good, but I never trusted mine and wouldn't trust any of them. I have VR stainless plates now and will not go back. Beware of the cables.

I was at the dealer to ask a few questions. I also wanted to get my cables replaced while I was there. They asked what my milage was. "Sorry, your out of warranty. You'll have to wait for the recall letter" If I had 4500 kms less, they would have given me the new cables. Figures.

Perhaps my question has been answered before.....
but my brother in law and I purchased our trucks in Texas
weeks apart.

He has gotten notice letters with both the tailgate
cable issue as well the the injector notice.

How come only some of the 2001 - 2002 owners get
letters and others don't?Edited by: 56Nomad

I have got neither letters. If I were you at the service department I would say fine you know very well that there is documentation that there is a Tailgate cable recall.


So are you saying for the record you are refusing to repair if so it is in your hands that if I wait for the letter and should harm come, this maybe brought up again in a lawsuit naming this dealership responsible for reparations.


After all I'm here for the fix and or to make a reasonable exceptable service visit , for recall repair.





Mac

Cover your hind end. Call GM customer service and make sure they are aware you have not received your letters. Talk to your dealership. Maybe they can call in for you. I have a Ford problem, and they are saying that I didn't keep customer service informed of my issues. Owner of dealer was "In contact with Ford" so I thought......
Figures.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifi don't think there worried about the cables. on my 04 that i use for work haulin bikes and quads. where the tailgate mounts the mounts are bent and sloppy and where the cable are bolted on the truck bed are bent out and ready to pull through. my dealer called tech and they sent rep out. he didn't have much to say, it isn't covered, it's only made to hold 400-600lbs. take the tailgate off each time you load. i told him my ford super duty http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif with 168,000 the tailgate and straps are still fine as its a shop vehicle still and gets the same treatment. i also asked him to find the load rate in my owners manual, did i miss something? he said it wasn't listed. and most people use the crew cabs as suv's and not work trucks and there lighten them up for better gas milage. by now i'm pissed as hell as to me he's reading out of a book and i'm wondering how long he looked into mirror saying his speech. i told him there would be hell to pay if any of my employee's get hurt or me when the tailgate falls off. i also asked him to put on the inside of tailgate's [not a step] gm's metal is weak. in the end he sumed it up as he admitted there having problem's and he was instructed by tech's to what to say. time to call customer service. sorry for the bitch but at 46, plus you would think they would stand behind there product.

I got a letter a couple of months ago but no call from the stealer. . . it has been raining a lot here and I have been using the 'gate a bit. guess I should inspect the cables and call the general . . .

i myself work at a gmc dealer and we have not been given any specific time on the cables we have heared it maybe in aug-sept i personaly belive the cables gm is selling now are the new ones though i'm not positive because gm claimes they have ben using stainless cables since nov of 03 i belive and the part#'s on the cables changed at the same time so in theory provided the dealer has the updated part# the cable should be stainless and they aren't on backorder because everytime i've ordered them they've come in the next day

Could you look into this? I'm very irritated at the "you'll have to wait until this fall" answers.

Especially if the new cables are currently being sold.

I have a 04 crew cab and went to the dealer today ( my A/C ouit-low pressure switch went out) , while I was in there I asked them about the tailgate cables and they said it would be sometime in Aug. before they start getting the new ones in. The rep said that water will get in the plastic coating and sit in the bend on the cable when the tailgate is closed and start to rust out in the bend. He also said that everyone who has received a letter will get them replaced.

max04 wrote:

"He also said that everyone who has received a letter will get them replaced. "

So what does GM plan to do with us owners who have the
old cables....... and have not received this letter. The
dealer told me also, I have to have receieved "the letter"
in order to get the new cables http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif

from what we were told at work is that only if the cable brakes to replace it until the letters have been mailed out because of the fact aprox. 4million trucks are affeted which means 8million cables are needed so from my understanding what they are doing is trying to weed out the old stock at the dealers(the bad cables) and replenish stock with the new one's but also it will take some time to make so many cables and the letters are supposed to go out in segments to make sure stock is available and not overwhelm the dealers

I was thinking maybe a good idea would be to remove the plastic sleeve, until the cables can be replaced. Or drill small holes in the area of the cable that bends down. That way moisture will drain from inside the sleeve.


I am Thinking that still, removing it altogether would be the answer for the time being. Better yet, remove it and then cover the entire clean dry cable with a plastic coating, or an elastic epoxy of some kind to completely encapsulate the cable.


All these ideas are not a perminent solution but maybe would prevent failures while waiting for the new ones.


Like I said, mine are almost 2 years old (stock) and I got the letter, but they look perfect. Being here in California is a definite help, since we are in another drought, it seems. But still, I see no ill-efffects from car washes, etc..


Well, I hope no one gets hurt from this defect.

ronadycks.


If you alter your cables, you may get to pay for the repairs to your tailgate if they fail.

Duallyvette,


I understand, that point. I was merely suggesting temporary solutions to an already prominent problem. Trying to protect the cables and make them last longer would hardly preclude you from the recall.


GM knows the liability, hence the letters sent out.

I got the letter for my 2000 1/2 ton and my father didn't and he has an early 2000 1/2 ton. One of my fathers cables broke last week and took it in and they replaced the cable with a new (old style) cable no questions asked. Said that until they get the "new" cables in they have to replace the broken one's with the "old" style ones. My new 2004 duramax has the new cables on it.

I'm sure they would still give you the cables. I just wonder if they will pay for the tailgate repair, or your injuries when the straps fail after they've been altered.

Any excuse to get out of a repair where GM pays, they will. Because the cables were altered (not by GM) they will say you caused the problem. I believe this to be the case.

We could argue the point, but I believe GM made the defficiency public, and not to replace, just because a person tried to make them safer while "waiting for GM", would be a weak argument for GM.


They have admitted fault, but you may be right. The argument would be whether the modification of the cables or drilling a few holes in the plastic for draining, would be enough to negate the recall. I personally doubt it.


I love this truck, and I am sorry to see so many 'issues' with them. At least, most of the problems, don't leave you stranded. That's a plus! Except the injector thing. That is a major issue, that will ultimately fall on Bosch's financial hands, I think. But GM will need to prove Bosch did not make them to the standard required. I think they are being generous with replacing all injectors when only one fails, for several reasons, but one being that Bosch will ultimately pay for it!


I guess we will see.

How would one know if the new cable is on the truck?


i have an '04 2500hd and never received a letter. my friend got his letter and his truck is only a month older than mine.


vin

Krash610,


Can't be 100% sure, but I believe the new ones are made out of stainless steel. A magnet does not stick to most stainless steel. Try taking a magnet to it, and if it sticks, you probably should get ready for a letter. Or, make a call to the dealer, for a way to identify which it is.


Good Luck...

I have a set of Stainless Steel VRstraps (http://www.vrstraps.com/) on mine...


http://dsdd.com/vrstrap/Images/Strappice1.jpg


I think the tailgate will bend before these break..http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I havn't received any letters either.

Now I'm upset. I just read these tailgate cable posts thinking "man I hope mine dont break", them went out to unload my 250R 4 wheeler out of my truck and "snap!" they both broke, and now I have two dents in my tailgate from my bumper.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif

Slick250! Since your truck has been rendered useless, you will not have any use for the 250R and I will take it off of your hands just to help you out. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif Edited by: Raptorrider

Mighty kind of him, eh Slick 250?

Yeah, that is quite nice of him to offer. Especially coming from a Yamaha rider...LOL....


Hey Raptorrider, I see you have a 2001 Raptor. So do I..01 Raptor. I still like my 250R better though so you cant have it http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Do you ever ride at Little Sahara in OK?

I have only been there one time. We usually go to west Texas to ride the dunes just outside of Kermit. We did go to Little Sahara, Utah for 2 weeks in June and had a great time. Utah is a great state for ATVing. They recognize the amount of money it can bring into their state. And the riding is so varied. Desert to mountains in a couple of hours. And the Piute trail runs all over the state. Over 2500 connecting miles. Just a great place. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

We just got back from a camping trip and I noticed that a
fella with what looked like an early 1990 Chevy truck
had hinged steel straps that looked like the VRstraps?

Can someone validate that..... ? Also, could they be
taken off one of the old chevys and put on our newer
trucks?